The Chronicles of Master Li and Number ten Ox by Barry Hughart

This is a trilogy of novels chronicling the miss-adventures of Master Li a man with a small flaw in his character and his trusted side-kick and confidant Number Ten Ox. The trilogy starts with A Bridge of Birds: A novel of an Ancient China that Never Was -

Bridge of Birds By Barry Hughart

Synopsis of A Bridge Of Birds by Barry Hughart


When the children of his village were struck with a mysterious illness, Number Ten Ox sought a wiseman to save them. He found master Li Kao, a scholar with a slight flaw in his character. Together, they set out to find the Great Root of Power, the only possible cure.

The quest leads them through a host of truly memorable characters, multiple wonders, incredible adventure and strange coincidences which were really not coincidences at all. It involved them in an ancient crime that still disturbed the serenity of Heaven.

This novel draws upon the tale of The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd and other myths and incidents from Chinese history and in fact the real tale of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd is referenced to in the end of the book

Information about A Bridge of Birds

US Editions of A Bridge of Birds

Hardcover: Pages Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Publication Date: Unknown

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Publication date: April 12, 1984

UK Editions of A Bridge of Brids

Hardcover: Pages Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Publication Date: Unknown

Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: CORGI
Publication Date: 1984

Awards for A Bridge of Birds

1985 World Fantasy Award - Best Novel
1986 Mythopoeic Award - Best Fantasy

The Story of the Stone by Barry Hughart is the second novel in The Chronicles of Master Li and Number ten Ox.

The Story of the Stone by Barry Hughart

Synopsis of The Story of the Stone by Barry Hughart

When in the Valley of Sorrows a Monk is murdered worthless manuscript Master Li Kao and number Ten Ox are called in to solve the mystery which leads them to uncover the dark history of the Valley and of the darker happenings of the present.

Information about The Story of the Stone

US Editions of The Story of the Stone

Hardcover: Pages Unknown
Publisher: Uknown
Publication Date: Unknown

Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Doubleday
Publication Date: July 1988

UK Editions of The Story of the Stone

Hardcover: Pages Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Publication Date: Unknown

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: CORGI
Publication Date: March 1990

The Eight Skilled Gentlemen by Barry Hughart is the third and last installment of this great trilogy.

The Eight Skilled Gentlemen by Barry Hughart

Synopsis of The Eight Skilled Gentlemen by Barry Hughart

In this novel Li Kao and Number Ten Ox are attending the execution of a notorious criminal (about whose capture the less said the better, according to the chronicler) when into the public square bounds a "vampire ghoul" who soon meets a fiery demise. Master Li is given the case by the Celestial Master who soon becomes a main suspect. The plot involves everything from a conspiracy involving fake tea to dog-brides, puppeteers to magic birdcages, assorted pre-Chinese demons and gods, and the hooded and ancient Eight Skilled Gentlemen

Information about The Eight Skilled Gentlemen

US Editions of The Eight Skilled Gentlemen

Hardcover: Pages Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Publication Date: Unknown

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Doubleday
Publication date: January 1991

UK Editions of The Eight Skilled Gentlemen

Hardcover: Pages Unknown
Publisher: Unknown
Publication Date: Unknown

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: CORGI
Publication Date:March 1991

Information on the Omnibus and E-Book versions of this series

The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox Collection - Hardcover (This is all three books)
Hardcover: 652 pages
Publisher: The Stars Our Destination Books
Publication Date: 2002

The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox Collection- Kindle Edition (This is all three books)

File Size: 1871 KB
Print Length: 652 pages
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Publication date: August 22, 2011

If anyone has more or better information about these books please feel free to leave a comment with links below in the comment section.

All dates and page numbers listed are original publishing dates and page numbers these may change from publication to publication.